Upgrade? Chinese CNC Machine

[John S]

Don't bother with those boards, they are the same as what you already have

Two choices.
Either try to get it running better and from experience these boards do not like micro stepping, they loose steps. perhaps start here ?

Second choice is the box has a decent power supply so scrap the board and fit 3 decent drivers and a breakout board.
see
CNC Micro-Stepping Stepper Motor Driver 2M542 Bi-polar 2phase 4.2A Switch | eBay and
Upgraded 5 Axis CNC Breakout Board Stepper Motor Driver + 5V USB Cable + Mach3 | eBay

BTW does anyone recognise the power supply board in that box ? A quick look on ebay doesn't get me anything.

[Jonathan]

Might not even need to get a new PSU to use with the m542 drivers. The transformer says 36V on one of the secondaries, which is ideal since when rectified that will give just under 50V. It depends what rating that winding is on the transformer, but you might as well try it if you do decide to get the drivers that John S (and I) recommend. Do you have a part number / datasheet for the stepper motors this machine uses?

[John S]

Yes spotted that as well, even included it in the post that disappeared when I clicked on the picture again to check.
I reckon the tranny will kick enough out given that these motors only take a bit of power and volts on these things is far more important than amps.

When you have had your fingers in a switch on electric toaster you get a feel for these sort of things.

[Jonathan]

The motors look fairly small, so I tend to agree. However I've just noticed that the 36Vac output will be for the spindle, since that requires up to 50V and 230W according to the eBay listing. Unless that spindle is replaced another transformer would almost certainly be needed.

Still interested in that board that rectifies the current from the tranny.
I reckon they must be commercially available boards if they are in that box.

Hard bit is know what to search for on Ebay.

Er why, surely you don't want one? It looks like it does a bit more than just rectifying though - I think it does the PWM drive for the spindle.

[John S]

Well spotted and that also answers the question of the pot on the front so scrap that query.

The reason I wanted one is that is often quicker, faster, cheaper in the long run to buy off the shelf components than build.
You then also have the facility to just ship a component out in the event of a fry up.

However in this case it's not what I was looking for.

[Jonathan]

You want something like this then?

10000uF 50V X4 Rectifier filter power supply board kit s-8 | eBay

Just search on eBay for 'power supply rectifier' and you'll find plenty, although they are a bit expensive.

Edit: If you're happy to solder it then..
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/63V-2200UF...item4abe9b8dad
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/63V-2200UF...item33673235b2

[Swarfing]

Straight lines

God knows where that came from?

[martin54]

If it were powered by a meridian twin it wouldn't have come from China would it lol,

[John S]

Still interested in that board that rectifies the current from the tranny.
I reckon they must be commercially available boards if they are in that box.

Hard bit is know what to search for on Ebay.

[Carlb1058]

Hi,

Unfortunately, all that came with the machine was a teeny disk with a manual on that when printed tells you nothing in regards to tech specs, essentially it's just an overbloated example of how to find the power button.

My biggest problem is when it comes to electronics I have the IQ of a door knob, if the thing was powered by a Meriden twin I'd have it torn down, rebuilt and running as sweet as nut but it's not so it's back to being as bright as a blown bulb for me How many of those m542 drivers would I need, three - one for each axis or is my thickendum sowing again?

Cheers
Carl

Ignore the last question John S pointed out I'd need three *slaps forehead*